SUPPORT GROUPS

The value of meeting other people who share a common interest with you is demonstrated in all aspects of life, even more so when it relates to a health matter. It’s reassuring to meet others who’ve gone through the same experiences as you, to share and learn from each other.

www.bariatriccookery.combelieves that patient support groups are an essential part of any obesity surgery programme and works closely with charities and other groups to establish and run a national network of patient support groups at hospitals, clubs, independent venues and even patient’s homes. These are run in addition to dietician and bariatric team care and not intended to replace them.

Research has shown that in centres where there is a good support service, including an active support group, obesity surgery outcomes are better. Attending a patient support group is a major contributor to achieving an individual’s long term healthy weight-loss and health improvement goals, helping to ensure that your investment in surgery is worth it.

With that in mind we have encouraged groups to form and grow; attend many on a regular basis and Carol frequently talks to many; and we have a list here that may guide you to one in your area.

This is a category that will be updated regularly but we do rely upon group leaders to let us know about new dates. All support groups are listed alphabetically. For specific dates make contact with the group leader before setting out since meetings are SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE!.

Asda Community Room, Asda, Atlantic Village, Bideford, Devon (please ring for details of how to find as they are not in the main store)

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month 7-9pm

PLUS they hold a coffee morning once a month – usually the 1st Monday of the month, 10.30 am at St John’s Garden Centre Restaurant, St John’s Road, Newport, Barnstaple, Devon (do check first since the date sometimes changes to fit in with school holidays etc)

Central London Support Group – Details and Dates for 2016
PLEASE NOTE THE DETAILS OF THE CHANGE OF VENUE
The Central London Support Group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 2 to 4pm at:
The Princess Grace Hospital at 42 – 52 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5NY and make themselves known to the main reception on the ground floor, where a porter will be called to show them to the Boardroom. The Boardroom is actually based at 40 Nottingham Place, but access is not permitted without the porter.
Light refreshments are provided. All WLSinfo members and of course non members are welcome to attend, either alone or with a friend, partner, family member etc.
Mr Ameet Patel, Consultant Surgeon very kindly funds this meeting place for us and we are extremely grateful.
The dates for meetings in 2016 are as follows:
Sat Jan 16th
Sat Feb 20th
Sat March 19th
Sat April 16th
Sat May 21st
Say June 18th
Sat July 16th
NO MEETING IN AUGUST
Sat Sept 17th
Sat Oct 15th
Sat Nov 19th
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
Your Support Group Co-ordinators are Deborah (DeborahE) and JO (Wanna) you can contact us on centrallondonsupport@wlsinfo.org.uk
After the meeting if you fancy more coffee and more chat . We usually pop over to The Natural Kitchen , At 77/78 Marylebone High Street from 16:00-18:00 ,more details are posted in the official announcement that comes out each month, usually a week to 10 days before the actual meeting.

RUN BY: Sue Smith, Streamline Surgical’s Communications Assistant. All are invited (you do NOT have to have had your surgery through Streamline) and can include partners/supporters. More information through www.streamline-surgical.com (on their forum page).

SOUTHAMPTON SUPPORT GROUP
Postern Court, Upper Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AF
10.30 am- 1 pm
CONTACT: Andrea (Cordelia) southamptonsupport@wlsinfo.org.uk
NOTE: Parking is very limited being residential, but it is close to bus stops and both surface and multi-storey car parking around West Quay shopping mall.

WORTHING SUPPORT GROUP
The Shelley Room, Goring Hall Hospital, Bodiam Avenue, Goring By Sea, Worthing, BN12 5AT
7.30-9.00 pm
CONTACT: Karin Holmes karinbospa@yahoo.co.uk
NOTE: There is a small door charge to attend BOSPA meetings to cover the cost of venue hire etc. This charge is £3 for non-members and their supporters and just £1 for members and their supporters.

SCOTLAND

BERWICK UPON TWEED SUPPORT GROUP

This is a new group having their first meeting on Thursday 10th May 2012 (then the second Thursday of every month after that).

Comments

Hi Glenys, I haven’t heard of any to date and no-one has notified me about any new ones starting. I will ask on Facebook to see if there is one I have missed and find out details if there is. Have you ever thought of starting up your own? Carol X

Hi Carol,
I haven’t seen a support group for Sheffield, South Yorkshire, do you know if there is one? I don’t drive and travelling expenses are not something I can afford. You mentioned to the lady above about starting your own. How would you go about doing that? I’m not professional at anything, it sounds a very daunting thing to do but I’m wanting support information and any way I can get this will help me and no doubt others like me.
Thanks Carol

Hi Vanessa, there is a support group in Sheffield that is associated with the Northern General Hospital but I think it is for their patients only. Likewise there is one in Doncaster the same. I know Leeds have a group which is run by some wonderful ladies from WLSinfo.org but this may well be too far away for you. They are always looking for someone to open new groups in areas that they don’t already have cover in so Sheffield would qualify. They can help since they have a great website, forum and lively membership with conferences and get-togethers – check them out and if you like what you see then speak to one of the team and see what they have to say. C x

Hi Carol, do u know if the support group at the Hampshire clinic is still running at all please? I am desprate to join one & the one in Portsmouth & Southampton is just too far for me to get to so I’m praying that the Hampshire clinic one is still running. I will be 2 years out next month & haven’t had any support group or anything so am really in desprate need of one. X

Hi Nikki, I’m not sure … Dusty Brough (see her email on the support group post) may well have retired now and no longer hold the group – I haven’t had anything through from them for a long time. You could always ring the clinic and they may well know on reception. Otherwise I am at a loss as to where else to suggest. I was told there was a group in Woking (through WLS info org) if that’s a shorter distance to drive and someone also mentioned Wokingham too. C x